Life of Mar Aba – chapter 15

The fire-priests are finding it slow going, in their attacks on Mar Aba. Nor is the Persian king as helpful as he might be…

15. At the meeting where they were negotiating with the blessed one was also a respected believer from Bet Ardashir, named Abrodak, a man who was very close to the king and his nobles. When he heard the words of the Catholicos, he was filled with divine zeal and said to the Mopetan Mopet, “You too, you who are the chief magian, will agree with the Catholicos, if you listen to his teaching, and will desire to become a Christian, and we Christians will not push you out of the church.” The Mopetan Mopet and the magians were very angry at this, but because the believer was an important man, they could do nothing to him. However the chief magian and his companions arose and came in great anger to the king, and complained bitterly of these words, “A Christian has said to the Mopetan Mopet, ‘If you become a Christian, we will receive you with joy.'” The King of Kings said, to appease their anger, “Why didn’t you prosecute him without delay?” When they were gone from the king, they sought to catch him, but they did not find him, because he had gone at the king’s command on official business to the (capital) cities. Thus he escaped the hands of the magians.